Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the utilization of funding to improve the HCBS program.  VACIL has always promoted consumer-directed community based services for people with disabilities.  We strongly encourage the expansion and flexibility of Home and Community Based Services to ensure individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to live in the community and access services.  Increasing the access to moving out of nursing home facilities is critical. While this is part of the MCO's requirement it is challenging to make this a reality and CILs are ready and willing to assist, expanding the access to transition funding to CILs would be a great idea.  Funding for assistance in finding housing for individuals and increase in home modifications costs would be great.  Expansion of contractors to provide home modifications or a mechanism that entities can be certified to approve contractors.  It is very hard to get contractors to go through all the process to be a medicaid provider.  The wait for home modifications is incredibly high.